Jodi Balfour is a South African actress (born in 1987 or 1988). She won a Canadian Screen Award for her performance as Gladys Witham in the series Bomb Girls (2012–2013). She has since starred as Ellen Waverly Wilson in the Apple TV+ series For All Mankind (2019–2023).
Early life and education Jodi Balfour grew up in Cape Town, South Africa.
She studied drama at the University of Cape Town, graduating in 2009.
Career Balfour moved to Canada for work, taking roles in Sanctuary and Supernatural."Bomb Girls' Jodi Balfour talks dancing, acting like a woman in the 1940s and playing the ukulele" . ANDPOP, 26 January 2013.
She was cast as Gladys Witham in the Canadian television drama series Bomb Girls in 2013."Bomb Girls: Meg Tilly, Jodi Balfour return for Season 2 on 2 Jan.". Toronto Star, 2 January 2013. She won a Canadian Screen Award for Best Lead Actress in a Television Film or Miniseries at the 3rd Canadian Screen Awards in 2015 for her performance in the series' follow-up television film Bomb Girls: Facing the Enemy."'Bomb Girls,' 'Vikings' early winners at Canadian Screen Awards". Global News, 1 March 2015.
In February 2015, Balfour was cast in the Cinemax series Quarry."Cinemax Orders Drama 'Quarry' to Series". Variety, 2 February 2015. In 2017, she portrayed Jacqueline Kennedy in episode eight of The Crown's second season, with Michael C. Hall playing her husband President Kennedy.
From 2019 to 2023, she starred in the Apple TV+ space drama series For All Mankind. In April 2022, she was cast in the Apple TV+ football sitcom Ted Lasso.
In the 2023 film Freud's Last Session, she portrayed the American psychoanalyst Dorothy Burlingham, the colleague and companion of Anna Freud.
Personal life Balfour was based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. she was co-owner of Nelson the Seagull, a coffeehouse and bake shop in the city's Gastown neighbourhood.
On 30 June 2021, she announced on Instagram that she identifies as queer, stating that she found it freeing to "finally embrace and explore my queerness." On 24 October 2021, Balfour announced on Instagram that she and Abbi Jacobson had been romantically involved for a year. They married in Brooklyn, New York, in 2023.
Filmography
Film Year Title Role Notes2011VampireMichaelaFinal Destination 5Woman2013Hanna / AbbyShortClaireAfterpartyKarenAlso producerWaterlooMolly MckenzieShort2014Valentines DayMollyShort2015UnearthingFisher HartEadweardMaryAlmost AnythingBeansAlso executive producer2019Rachel2023Freud's Last SessionDorothy Burlingham
Television Year Title Role Notes2009ConciergeEpisode: "San Diego"2010Johanna WenzTV filmTower PrepEmily Wright2 episodes2011Sarah FullwoodTV miniseriesR. L. Stine's The Haunting Hour: The SeriesPriscillaEpisode: "Nightmare Inn"SupernaturalMelissaEpisode: "Like a Virgin"VV GreeterEpisode: "Uneasy Lies the Head"SanctuaryTerryEpisode: "Icebreaker"2012–2013Primeval: New WorldSamantha Sedaris3 episodesBomb GirlsGladys WithamMain role2014Lindsay DewarTV miniseriesBomb Girls: Facing the EnemyGladys WithamTV film2016QuarryJoni ConwayMain role2017RellikDI Elaine ShepardMain roleJackie KennedyEpisode: "Dear Mrs. Kennedy""The Crown Adds Michael C. Hall & Jodi Balfour as Jack & Jackie Kennedy". Deadline, 9 February 2017.2019True DetectiveLori3 episodes2019–2023For All MankindEllen Waverly / WilsonMain role (seasons 1–3), guest (season 4)2023Ted LassoJack Danvers4 episodes
Theatre Year Title Role Venue Notes 2025 Lowcountry Tally Atlantic Theater Company
Awards and nominations Year Association Category Nominated work Result2013Leo AwardsBest Lead Performance by a Female in a Dramatic SeriesBomb Girls2014Canadian Filmmakers' FestivalBest Ensemble Afterparty2015Canadian Screen AwardsBest Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Dramatic Program or Mini-SeriesBomb Girls: Facing the Enemy
References
External links